Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

"UAAAAAAAARGH"

"HEEEELP ME-"

"what's that?"

"quickly, let's see what's going on"

when they heard the screaming, Hassan group was fasten their leg. They running back to open area. the different brightness between corridor and open area make their eyes hard to see. but slowly their vision was returned to normal.

there eyes opened wide when they saw what happened in open area. the scenery was gruesome.

"Heeeelp-"

"god save us-"

people running, screaming, shouting, praying and did whatever they did whatever they can to escape from what happened.

Hassan group seen something disastrous. there are people that wearing full plate armor, look like crusader full plate armor from game or middle age era.

you can't see who or what inside the armor. but you'll instantly know that they aren't human. because their size is inhuman. they had five to six meter high. welding long sword that suit their size.

Hassan knew they are so big, because he saw his senior and co-workers from work that got slaughter by them only size of their knees.

it was a knight, giant knight.

he saw they are playing around with human. they kicking them and using human as sword swinging target.

what make everything was so horrors is their movement. they move so fast even if they had giant body. their movement not sluggish at all.

"RUN! RUN everywhere you can! save your own lives!"

"Help me.. my leg.. UARGH!"

they saw their boss was running with all his might while commanding people to run for their lives.

some guy who asking for help because his leg was gone got stabbed on his back by giant longsword.

"damn it!! what do we do!?"

"i.. i.. i don't know!"

they was got scared when looking at what happened.

Hassan leg was shaking, he can't think anything straight. he want to run away, but his damned leg aren't moving.

"Nandou! Takatsuki! Shouta! RUN! goes back to corridor quickly!"

"shit! one of them looking this way! we will die!"

their boss and some man is running toward them, their sense was returned when their name called.

they quickly running back toward corridor with all their might.

"Follow us! i think we found way out!"

no one know who is Nandou talking to. but Hassan and Shouta know, he was talking to everyone behind them whoever they are.

"but Nandou-san, we don't know if that way is safe!"

"we don't have any choice! i hope someone heard me and they can escape like us."

when Nandou shout that word. Hassan and Shouta know what he meant. it was door on the end of corridor. but they still don't know what wrong behind the door.

they can only gamble on it.

.

.

.

.

(why this is happening?)

Sato Toruma is chief second construction department of Obayashi Corporation. He has good life, but not the best. because how hard he was working, building good relationship with his superior or his subordinate. he still stuck at chief of second construction department.

his life is smooth sailing. he had good parents, good family who supporting him. and good records when since he was small.

(this is punishment for my good life without hardship? damn it!)

his life is perfect until mysterious dot appears and sucking them all the way here.

they don't know what they must do when they're arrived here. but 30 of 42 people who building apartment was chosing to looking around way out of here. because there are ten giant hole in every corner, they devide into team of three.

fifty meter after entering the corridor, they found giant room without door. some empty giant full plate armor was lining there. it was like exhibition room.

they was checking the room for a minute but didn't find anything. so they decided to goes back.

when they returned into open area some team already goes back. he asked the other, what was they found. but the answer was same as his team.

so they wait for the other come.

after some minute the other was returned and their result is same. but suddenly they heard something.

"Heeelp.. help me.."

the last one that returned was alone. his face was look like someone who just looking a ghost. he breathing heavily, and there some blood stain in his clothes.

"what's wrong?"

"that- that things is alive! must run!"

"what things? calm down! explain it calmly."

"how the fuck i can calm down when i seen someone dead in front of me!"

"what?"

the man finally explained what happened. what their group saw is same as Toruma and other, but they decide to staying and checking out the room more longer. they even tried to move the empty armor to find hidden door.

but suddenly one of the armor was moving without their awareness. it drawing longsword in it wrist. and stabbing one of them. the man who panic running toward open area again with all his might.

everyone sho heard his story is stupefied. they can't believe what they heard soth their own ears. because they seen the empty armor himself. but none of them is moving. they even tried to move the empty armor, but nothing happened. but their doubt was cleared with what they heard after that.

clank clank clank clank clank

"what's that?"

the empty armor that they seen before was walking put of hole. what make the so terrified was not only the empty armor from the man who his group got killed. but empty armor come out from corridor that they was entering before.

clank clank clank clank clank

slowly they walking in the line like good soldier. taking their weapon, and starting to charging. and starting to massacring people.

that's what happened before Hassan group was arrived.

"Nandou! Takatsuki! Shouta! RUN! goes back to corridor quickly!"

he was shouting at them hoping they was catching what happened.

(why you guys running back at corridor? isn't the corridor all the same?)

but his questions was answered by Nandou shout.

"Follow us! i think we found way out!"

Toruma face was brightened when he heard that.

"shit! they was running this way!"

he heard someone behind him said that. he saw the empty armor was chasing them with speed more than forty kilometers/hour.

"UAAAAAAAARGH"

"HELP"

"Guys! run with all your might to corridor where Nandou goes!"

he saw his comrades die one by one. closing his eyes and opening it again, he steel himself to shout to everyone who still alive.

"If you found branched road goes to left one!"

he heard another shouting, this time Hassan who said that. so he shout that word too, hoping someone far behind him was hearing him.

"there are really branched road boss!"

"let's go! we heard what they said, aren't we?"

they ran into left corridor and following through they way.

.

.

.

.

"hah hah hah hah hah hah...."

Hassan was breathing heavily, it's been long time since he was running with all his might. last time he was running with all his might is in P.E. class one year ago. his senior is breathing heavily either. they was stopping in front of the door that they found.

"did we open it?"

"wait! we must wait another when we opened it!"

"but what if that monster who showing themselves?"

"just wait five minutes!"

they wait nervously in front of the door. Hassan and Shouta insisting Nandou to opening the door, but Nandou doesn't agree with them.

creeeeeak

"i said wait!"

"sorry, my hand was so nervous. i thought the door was locked. so i did it unconsciously!"

of course it was a lie. the door was made from stone. so it's impossible to open it unconsciously. you need to extend some strength to move the door. but when Hassan pushing it, it was not heavy than what he imagined.

inside Hassan was so scared if the door locked and what coming is that damned monster. that why he push the door handle and tried to open the it just a little.

he can feel cold air blowing from the gap of door that was opened a little. suddenly...

clack clack clack clack clack clack clack clack clack

"someone or something coming!"

the dim light make them can't see who or what is coming. they steeling themselves, and prepare to running toward door. their hand and leg was shaking. but..

"Nandou you there!?"

with that voice tension on their body instantly dropped. if not still scared about what happened, they'll feel on the ground because of relieved.

"Yes! come quickly!

it was their boss, Toruma with five others. panic, fear, and terrible situation make their face was in mess.

looking at fellow human was massacred like that every normal human will get crazy.

"just six survive? damnit!"

"we don't know, we ran with all of our might. but those bastard still catching up and killing our comrades! maybe some of our friend gor blocked by them."

the atmosphere was became gloomy when they heard what Toruma said. after going through situation like that, they knew rest of their friends won't make up it alive.

"So? did you really found the exit?"

"honestly.. we don't. but we just found dead end road if you goes to right corridor. and this door when you get here. we planning to report it first before we checked it out. but when we return there everything was..."

"i understand, then let's-"

clank clank clank clank clank clank clank clank

before Tomura can finished his word, running step of metal can be heard. their face turned ugly when they heard that sound.

"Damnit! it's them!"

"quickly move!"

"we gonna die"

"mommy!"

creeeeeak crash

(damn it!)

in dire situation Hassan can't stop himself anymore, he was so scared. he doesn't want to die so he push the door with all his might until he was tripped on the floor.

"hurry up, goes in"

"he is right, let's go!"

he wake himself and commanding his friends to Hastings their movement. Toruma who snapped because of Hassan, pushing the other so they can move quickly.

clank clank clank clank clank clank clank clank clank clank clank clank

the giant knights group was running toward them with top speed.

"damnit! they here!"

"hurry up close the door!"

creeeeeak slam

"help me blocked the door!"

"everyone hurry!"

"brace for impact!!"

Hassan who closed the door asking help his friend to block the door. they quickly push the door with their body and steeling themselves to bracing the impact from attack of giant knights.

...

...

but the impact was not coming.

"what happened? sis they stopped?"

"don't know, keep pushing the door! maybe it was their trick!"

...

...

but after waiting for other moment the impact still haven't come.

"they are run out of mana and stopped working?"

Hassan can't helped ask other what he thought. but no one answering because no one knew what happened.

"this room is darker than outside. look some part of floor was emiting dim light."

Tomura changing the conversation topic. like he said the floor was emiting dim light but the light is not enough for them to see surrounding.

When they heard Tomura, their attention was shifted from the door to the room. they let go the door one after another.

"what we do know boss?"

"i don't know! did anyone had flash light?"

"i have it her-"

Clack! gasha gasha rrrrrrrrrrr Creak! Clack Clack! Click.

they was snapped because of sudden sound. the sound is like some mechanism working like lever got moved or moving chain. they don't know what is that.

Click

a clicking sound like locking door can be heard from the door that they just entered. then the room that was suddenly turned bright. the ceiling suddenly emit bright light.

"Wha-"

"Oh no!"

"we done"

there aren't anything that look like mechanism. because they arrived at another circle shape room. but not vast like first area when they arrived. the ceiling is same high as the corridor around twelve meter.

but what make them panic was in wall of circle room, another giant knight was standing there without moving.

"so there no exit after all."

(are we gonna die here? No! i don't wanna to give up i must find way to out of here! i need to support my sister and grandmother. mother was still need a medication!)

when other people was falling into despair. Hassan steeling himself, he looking around in the room to find some clue. but his eyes was focus on eye catching thing on the room.

"don't panic guys look at the middle at room. something was there! maybe it's some mechanism"

"Takatsuki was right! we need to find way out before damned armor here was moving."

there are three thing that catching on eyes at this room. first was round stone table in the middle of room. it high was only one meter, with diameter around one and half meter. rather than calling it a table, it's more appropriate to call it an altar. there was some weird symbol was craved on it.

and the other two who catching on eyes was something that lies in opposite of the door. there are skeleton who sitting on stone throne. and on it left side there are giant stone tablet with hieroglyphic in it. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/hieroglyph)

"let's check the altar!"

Hassan with the survivor was examinate the altar. they was looking for hidden mechanism on the altar.

Hassan attention was changed from altar to skeleton that siting on stone throne. The skeleton was so clean white. it's cleaner than skeleton display on science room. the skeleton using gaudy black robe. and there something like golden crown in it head.

(hmm.. this is something like clue?)

but what make Hassan interested isn't the skeleton. but stone tablet beside it. the hieroglyphics on the stone table look like some record in past like inside pyramid.

(maybe they worshiping this guy when he still alive?)

upper part of hieroglyphics is picture of people prostrating into man in the throne. and there most other part that Hassan don't understand. in there middle there are picture of ESGATE, there are people who standing in the front of the gate. and there are gate picture that was crossed. Hassan got closer to tablet and checking at crossing part of the gate.

(this crossing was look different. someone tried to modify it so they can hide something?)

the lower part is picturing something look like sacrificing ritual. there are people who stabbing into another people who laying on the altar.

(so the altar is just sacrificial tool and don't have mechanism? then how we get out of here-)

"UAAAAAH!" thud

everyone was startled when they heard someone was screaming. they looking at man who screaming. he is fall in his butt, and pointing toward skeleton.

"what's wrong?"

"just now, i saw the skeleton was moving?"

""""what?""""

their attention was turned into skeleton, but after some minute watching the skeleton it's not moving at all.

"damn it. it's not moving at all!"

"but i see the finger just move a little!!"

"but we don't seen any movement. maybe it finger already rust because of time. and little by little it'll fall. stop making any noise and try to find any clue!"

"but... but.."

the man was still insist looking at skeleton for a moment until he was finally gave up and looking at other location.

(wait.. movement.. rust because of time.. no dust... worshiping man in throne... i can't b-)

shiiiiiiiiiiink swash clank

"damn it. they finally moving!"

"we are gonna die!"

suddenly the empty armor drawn their weapon. it make everyone in the room running toward the door. but...

"it's locked!"

they tried to pull the door together, but the door just won't move.

clank clank clank

the empty armor was walking step by step. when you know how fast they can move, it's look like they are just playing around with people inside the room.

they ran again toward altar and circling it.

"what should we do know?"

"it's finally our end?"

"great god please safe us"

(damn it. we are trapped.

what should i do?

what should i do?)

Hassan was looking around at the room he never give up till the end. he must found clue to get out of here. suddenly he remember about what in his thought before.

"everyone! do what i said!"

"""""""what?""""""

Hassan facing up the skeleton, then..

thud

he was kneeling toward the skeleton and doing dogeza.

"everyone hurry! dogeza toward the skeleton!"

"but why?"

"I don't know. but i think he figure out something! quickly did what he said!"

"roger boss"

then they was kneeling and dogeza toward the skeleton. when all of them finally doing dogeza.

clank clank clank swash sriiiiiiiiink

"Wha-"

the empty armors was drawnback their weapon, and they returned to their original position.

"Look! they retur-"

BOOOM

"wha-"

"UUUAAAAA"

"what's wrong?"

"everyone don't move! keep dogeza"

everyone confused, some of them event don't understand what happened because they can't see. but Hassan was seen it. the man tried to looking around the empty armor that was return to their position. the man was rising his body into kneeling position and start to talking. but before he finished talking, suddenly his body was explode into pool of blood.

"He is dead, Yura was explode and dead!!"

"how the hell that happened?"

"i don't know, he was kneeling and suddenly explode."

"Takatsuki! explain to us what happened!"

everyone began to demand answer from Hassan, because of panic they starting to looking for something to blame.

"i am sorry, but i don't know either."

he paused for a moment and continue talking.

"i saw stone tablet over there. there are hieroglyph on the tablet. i don't understand about it. but what i knew there are picture about people prostrating into man in throne."

"what?"

"yes, with that i just take conclusion that we need prostrating into skeleton on the throne. but i don't know if rising your head will make your body explode!"

"so, what must we do know?"

"i don't know. i just knew part about dogeza. and other part isn't clear at all! let's just wait while doing dogeza"

clatter clatter

"the skeleton was moving!"

"see! i told you it was moving"

the heard clattering sound, when they rise their head a little and still at dogeza posture, they saw the skeleton in front of them was moving.

(wha-)

when Hassan looking at skeleton there are light in it hollow eyes. he felt his entire body stiffed and shaking because of fear.

suddenly skeleton that's he can see like normal skeleton from before was disappear, it's feel like it was replace with other skeleton.

(HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!)

"wha-"

"i can hear voice in my head"

"what is this?"

(SHUT UP!)

with that command everyone shutting their mouth. at this time they can fear it. scary aura from the skeleton. everyone was shaking, some of them was crying and some other wetting their own pants.

(HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!)

looking at human the human, the skeleton starting to laughing again. his laugher was so scary like ghost laugh in horror movie.

the skeleton was silent for a moment. then the light in hollowed eyes was shining.

(FOOLISH HUMAN, THE GREAT ME WAS GRANTING YOU PERMISSION TO RAISE YOUR HEAD!!)

but everyone who heard it doesn't move, because they was so scared, and can't think anymore.

(what do i do? what do i do?)

Hassan was so scared, he can't think straight like other. he even bite his lower lips, tried to wake himself from fear. even his lips was bleeding he still can't move his body because of scared.

click

(SO, YOU BETTER DEAD THAN OBEYING THE GREAT ME COMMAND?)

the skeleton clicking his finger and talking again to them. Hassan felt his heart was more ease when skeleton clicking his finger. Hassan steeling himself and gather all his courage.

"i am sorry my lord! we was enchanted by your great presence. so we can even move our body"

Hassan tried find reasoning for their actions, he said brst thing that he can't said to pleasing this skeleton.

(HAHAHAHA! THAT'S WHY I SAID YOU ARE FOOLISH HUMAN! DO YOU THINK THE GREAT ME CAN'T READ YOUR PITIFUL MIND?)

thud

"No.. we won't have courage to thing like that"

Hassan had cold sweet when he heard even that skeleton can read a mind. he tried himself so hard not to lying anymore and giving the skeleton best answer he can think. he even dogeza-ing himself again so hard until his head made thud sound when crashing into ground.

"yes, my friend was right! in front of your great presence we just like ant that always doesn't understand the great one"

(YOU TRIED TO AMUSE ME? I KNOW SOME OF YOU WAS TWITCHING WHEN YOU HEARD OTHER SAYING THAT I AM 'THE GREAT ONE')

(SO, FOOLISH HUMAN? WHAT WILL YOU GAVE IN PRESENCE OF THE GREAT ME?)

Hassan heart feel bitter when he heard what skeleton said.

what is undead want? undead is monster that doesn't need eating or drinking they don't have disire or lust. what they do was following their own weird instinct to killing living being.

Hassan thought it was trap questions. he pushing his brain to thing an idea.

(NOTHING HUH? THEN I'LL-)

"Wait!!! iam sorry for interrupting the great one! I have something!!"

"Takatsuki...."

"don't be foolish, whatever we do he'll still kill all of us"

(THEN, SPEAK)

Hassan was ignoring boss word, he steeling himself and talking to the skeleton.

"how about we play a game! i knew the great one must be bored for living so long. then how about we olay some game?"

(A GAME? HAHAHAHAHAHA! AMUSING!)

"wha-"

everyone was dumbfounded when they heard what Hassan said. who the hell was thinking about playing game in this dire situation. but it was just stalling their time little longer to live. but what made them more bewildered was what Hassan said next

"but if we just playing a game, it'll be boring to great one. so how about we made a gamble? if i lost you can have our lives. but if i won, you must release us!"

everyone face brightened when they heard what Hassan said. they thought was how foolish they are because already giving up so easily. and they wondering why they can't think something like that? but..

(THE GAME WAS INTERESTING. BUT THE GAMBLE WAS NOT. YOUR PITIFUL LIFE ALREADY AT MY HAND! WHY I NEED A GAMBLE TO SOMETHING THAT CAN I DO EASILY? THAT'S WHY I SAID YOU ARE FOOLISH HUMAN)

Hassan had cold sweet when he heard what skeleton said. everything was true, their lives are already in skeleton hand. and he doesn't have to gamble it.

he was tried to thinking another solution, but his thought was stopped by skeleton word.

(THEN HOW ABOUT THE GREAT ME MADE THE RULE!)

(IF I LOST, I'LL LET ALL OF YOU GO. BUT IF I WON I'LL TAKE EVERYTHING THAT ALL OF YOU HAD. YOUR LIVE, YOUR FAMILIES, YOUR LOVERS, EVERYTHING! I'LL TAKE EVERYTHING HERE!)

"what.. no!"

"you can't take my families!"

"don't accept it Takatsuki! our I won't forgive you!"

everyone was angry at Hassan when they heard skeleton condition. they knew their lives already ended here. but because of Hassan, now their families or lover will had same fate like them. They starting to blame Hassan about everything.

(SHUT UP!)

when the skeleton said that everyone except Hassan was fall into their knees. their mouths was shut-up like they was sealed.

(SO, WHAT'S YOUR ANSWER? IF YOU TAKE TOO LONG, I'LL START TO MASSACRING YOU ONE BY ONE)

Hassan was pondering so hard. he don't want his family became a victim either. but he still hasn't gave up about chance to saving his life. his family was barely able to sustain themselves and paid his mother medication. he knew his little sister is secretly had part-time job to helping him. if he die here, his family financial will be collapse and they wouldn't be survive in this harsh world.

Hassan take a deep breath. he closed his eyes for a second and snapped out.

"I accept!"

(GOOD!)

" then, how we do the game?"

(SIMPLE! I JUST ASK YOU THREE QUESTIONS. IF YOU CAN ANSWER TWO OUT THREE QUESTION, YOU WON. IF YOU CAN'T YOU LOST! EVETIMES YOU ARE WRONG I'LL KILL THIRD OF YOU. AND EVERYTIMES YOU RIGHT I'LL GAVE YOU ONE QUESTIONS OF MY GREAT KNOWLEDGE FOR FREE)

(OF COURSE I WOULD NOT ASK YOU QUESTION THAT HUMAN CAN'T ANSWER. IF I GAVE YOU TYPE OF QUESTION THAT YOU HUMAN CAN'T UNDERSTAND, I'LL INSTANTLY LOSE)

Hassan was frowned when he heard it. it's look like simple quiz game. but it's became more complicated than he thought. there are many dissaventage in this rule.

"it's not fair for me! how do i knew if my answer was correct. you can just said every answer i gave was wrong!"

(HAHAHAHA! FOOLS ALWAYS BE FOOL! YOU THINK THE GREAT ME DIDN'T THOUGHT SOMETHING LIKE THAT?)

(THE GREAT ME ALWAYS BE FAIR! WE WILL DO MAGIC CONTRACT TO CLARIFY OURSELVES. WHEN WE WAS BOUNDED BY MAGIC CONTARCT WE WOULDN'T ABLE TO LIE)

Hassan can't understand what skeleton said. he doesn't know if this magic contract really exist. but he don't have any choice.

(HOW ABOUT IT? ANSWER BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND!)

"shit.. I ACCEPT! wha-"

when he said 'i accept' a light was surrounding him and the skeleton. it was circling around in their body from head to toes, then leaving their body. two lights eho leaving their body was contacting each other and colliding and explode becoming glittering light that falling like snow.

suddenly the skeleton was speaking.

(THE GREAT ME WON'T KILL ANY OF YOU)

"That's lie! wha-" (how do i know he was lying)

Hassan was surprised. after the glittering light was disappear, he suddenly can felt other party lies.

(NOW YOU UNDERSTAND FOOLISH HUMAN? NEVER DOUBT TO THE GREAT ME!)

"my apologies to great one for doubting"

Hassan doesn't understand, why he suddenly apologizing to skeleton. he doesn't know why but he felt respect to the skeleton now.

(NOW LET'S BEGIN. I'LL ASK YOU FIRST QUESTION)

"please"

(FIRST QUESTION!)

(I HAVE HEAD AND TAIL. BUT I DON'T HAVE ARM AND LEG. IAM POISONOUS BUT AT SAME TIME IAM VIRTUOUS. WHAT AM I?)

"what? a riddle?"

it's actually a riddle! when skeleton said he will played a game with Hassan, he actually throwing a riddle.

with this Hassan was knew what it mean to 'not asking questions that human can't answer'. if it was riddle there always be possibility that human can answer. but at same time it was so hard because the answer itself will be different according each other perspective.

(damnit what it is? it's snakes? or it's an eels? it's poisonous and virtuous? it's so confusing!)

"mmmhhh.."

"mmmhhh.."

(OH LOOK YOUR LITTLE FELLOW HUMAN TRIED TO SAY SOMETHING! I'LL MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU)

Click

(EVEN IF EVERYONE CAN TALK. THE ONLY FINAL ANSWER IS FROM YOU)

the skeleton clicking his finger once more. and this time it make everyone can talking.

"i can talk? oh i can! The answer is Snake!!"

"Yah i thought so too it's snake!"

"yeah. it's poisonous and virtuous part really suitable for snake. you knew poison from snake can killing people but nowadays when technology was so advanced scientist found a way using snake poison to make cancer medicine. so it's really snake!"

"oh, its make a sense!"

"i agree"

with that theory make all people here was thinking same thing. even Hassan himself began consider that logical answer was right.

(TIME UP! GAVE ME YOUR ANSWER)

(damnit, I don't know the right answer. but everyone was agreed with that answer so..)

"IT'S SNAKE!"

Hassan just leave everything to that answer. now he focusing himself to skeleton, so it can't tell a lie.

(HAHAHA! WRONG)

"""'"wha-"""""

"you're liar!"

"No! the answer was right, snake!"

When the skeleton judging the answer everyone can't believed it. they didn't trust the skeleton. but Hassan when he heard the answer he grits his teeth and clenching his hand.

(SHUT UP! OR ILL YOU USELESS HUMAN!)

they was bewildered when they heard skeleton was angry. after everyone shutting their mouths, the skeleton focusing to Hassan.

(HOW IS IT?)

"you are telling the truth. the answer is wrong."

Hassan who was bounded by magical contract can feel the skeleton was telling the truth. so he can only admit it bitterly.

"can you tell me the right answer?"

(IT'S 'GOLD COIN'. IF YOU'RE HUMAN RIGHT NOW CALLING IT 'MONEY' OR 'PENNIES'. IF YOU ANSWERING ONE OF THOSE, I'LL COUNT IT AS RIGHT. BUT UNFORTUNATELY)

Hassan was gritting her teeth bitterly again when skeleton was saying the answer. because it not lying about everything it said.

(NOW! TIME TO PAY!)

"UAAAA-"

"BLRGH"

"Nandou! Gouda!"

"NO!"

"DAMNIT YOU MONSTER!"

the skeleton pointing his finger into two people, they suddenly explode after got pointed. this is proof that skeleton can kill them all easily.

(THE GREAT ME IS GENEROUS. THE GREAT ME ALREADY KILL ONE OF YOU BECAUSE OF ANNOYED. SO I'LL JUST TAKE TWO PEOPLE. IN NEXT QUESTION, IF YOU'RE WRONG, EVERYTHING WILL BE OVER!)

"Damnit! now my family at risk!"

"cursed you Takatsuki!"

"it's all your fault Nandou and Gouda dead!"

"SHUT UP! YOU GUYS ARE THE ONE WHO GAVE ME THE ANSWER!"

" stop it guys. Takatsuki is taking this risk for us too. iam the one who blamed because of that stupid reasoning that i gave. keep calm! maybe this is strategy of skeleton to make us fight so we can't answer right question."

Hassan was so angry, they are blaming him for everything. human always bw like that. when they are cornered, they'll taking blame into someone or something to easing their heart.

but Hassan anger was subsided because his boss still act neutral in these situations. he knew the boss personality. he was type of guy who felt responsibly for everything.

Hassan ignoring other people and focusing to skeleton.

(SECOND QUESTIONS)

(I NEED TO EAT, BUT I DON'T NEED TO DRINK. I LIKE AIR, BUT I HATE SAND. YOU NEED ME, BUT YOU SCARED OF ME. I AM ALIVE. WHO AM I?)

the skeleton throwing another riddle. this time is harder than before. Hassan tried to pondering what is it.

"I don't know this one"

"me too"

this time he was ignoring other people except his boss. he looking at his boss but he only shaking his head because doesn't know the answer.

(need to eat, but don't need drink)

(liking air, but hating sand)

(i needed it, but iam scared of it)

(it's alive)

Hassan repeating what skeleton said in his head. pondering for a moment, then he was smiling.

(TIMES UP! GAVE ME YOUR ANSWER)

Hassan looking at skeleton, nodded his head and answering to him.

"fire! the answer is fire"

the room became silent when Hassan giving the answer, they don't want to give him answer again because they was scared got blamed when the answer is wrong. then they looking at skeleton.

(CORRECT! NOW LET'S ME HEARD YOUR REASON)

they felt relieved when the answer was right. but Hassan already knew his answer was correct, and the skeleton wouldn't lie like he said.

"It's actually simple. Because you need feed fire to keep it alive, but you mustn't give it water. it need an air, and if you covering it with sand it'll die. Human need fire to live, but the was scared, they need to b careful because fire can harm them."

(GOOD. NOW TOUR REWARD, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?)

Hassan was completely forgot about correct reward, he doesn't know what he must to ask because of confusion of dead people and penalty when he was lost.

"What is mana? Why there are people that can have mana power and other can't?"

(IT WAS TWO QUESTION)

the skeleton was pausing for second. before Hassan can redo his question, it was continuing his word.

(MANA IS ESSENCES OF THE UNIVERSE ITSELF. IT'S LIKE MATTER, BUT IT'S WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. YOU ALREADY KNEW ABOUT MATTER AND ANTI-MATTER. BUT CALLING SOMETHING YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND AS DARK MATTER. BUT MANA IS ESSENTIALLY DIFFERENT. IF I SAID IT IN SIMPLIFY IT, MANA IS ENERGY THAT CAN EVEN CREATING AND CHANGING INFORMATION)

(AS FOR SECOND QUESTION, IT'LL COUNT AS FAIR IF I TELL YOU WITH QUESTION. WHY THERE ARE HUMAN BEING THAT BETTER THAN OTHER?)

Hassan partially understand what skeleton said. but then suddenly the skeleton was asking Hassan question to answering his question. the answer was obvious it was-

"Talent, luck and fate. everyone human have different talent. so talented people always better than other! but sometimes talented people not lucky enough so he can't improve his talent. and fate was key of people luck."

things about talent always bugging his mind. because his hard live he had, he always wondering why he never had talent like other so he can had his live easier.

but after answering skeleton question, Hassan realized what it mean. so mana was same, only talented, lucky and fated people who can awakened their power.

(world always unfair huh?)

(LAST QUESTION)

the skeleton was ignoring Hassan answer and continue the game. Hassan who jolted because he still pondering about knowledge he just got, steeling himself to listen the question.

(WHAT IS THE MELODY OF DEATH!?)

Hassan was dumbfounded when he heard the question, what kind of riddle is that.

"what the hell with that question?"

"isn't it against the rule?"

"how the hell we know Melody of Death?"

people starting to questioning credibility of the game.

"why is Takatsuki was silence?"

"is the skeleton is lying?"

"isn't Takatsuki knew when it lying?"

"the hell with just question that was human can answer?"

"how supposed we knew if we never die?"

Hassan was pondering same thing, he doesn't understand why this question was right and not against the rules. who can answer questions like that?

"I knew! the answer is 'silence' because you can't make any sound when you're dead!"

"oh nice one, but.. we must find other answer and comparing it."

suddenly someone was giving Hassan answer, but Toruma stopping it with other argumentation. he wouldn't want ti repeat same mistake like first question.

"shit, this question so hard."

"come on Takatsuki! answer it"

"i knew everything is skeleton trap! damnit now my families will die! it's all your fault. bu at least we'll goes to heaven and you'll got to hell Takatsuki!!"

"hey you there shut up! don't blaming Takatsuki. we wouldn't know that these will happened"

Hassan closed his eyes, he doesn't know the answer, he racking his brain but still can't found the answer.

(is death had a sound?)

(a melody from death was is that?)

(wait. it is even related to sound?)

people starting to blaming him again. he can't helped but listening that blabbering.

suddenly he snapped his eyes open. when listening their blabbering he felt like he got some enlightenment.

(NOW GIVE ME YOUR ANSWER)

the skeleton was demanding the answer to Hassan, he looking at skeleton and smiling to it.

"Hope!"

""""""Wha-"""""""

"My answer is 'Hope'!"

everyone had bewildered stare to Hassan when he heard the answer. what is 'Hope' related to death and melody. the can't understand everything.

(HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA)

everyone stunned when they heard skeleton was laughing.

(AMUSING! VERY AMUSING GUY!)

"is the answer right? or wrong?"

"we will die?"

everyone starting to wondering how the answer. because it will determinate their families and lover fate.

"just give me the results"

Hassan was nervous, it's not like second question that he was believe that his answer was right. there is to little clue on this question. but he still answer it no matter what.

(YOUR ANSWER IS CORRECT!)

"what?"

(YES. HOPE IS MELODY OF DEATH! YOU KNEW WHY?)

"not much, just guessing. you said the question will be question that we are human can answer. so when you asking about Melody of death. honestly i don't know the answer."

he give everything he thought to the skeleton.

(THEN TELL ME WHY YOU CHOOSE THAT ANSWER?)

"it's because of them foolish human"

hw pointing his finger into his co-workers. then resuming his word.

"we are human doesn't understand concept of death. what we knew about death is when our body isn't functioning anymore. but when those guy cursing me, that's gave ne a hint. we are human always imagining there wil be another live after death. even our religions in earth always promising heaven, or better reincarnation live after we are dead. but everything just our hope that want something better after we passing a live."

"So Melody of Death is Hope! our hope that always wanting better live."

The room was silence when Hassan finishing his reason to answer the question.

(HAHAHAHAHAHA! AMUSING GUY! TRULY AMUSING GUY!)

(LIKE WHAT THE GREAT ME PROMISE, I'LL LET YOU GUYS GO)

click

whoooosh whoooong

"wha-"

with finger clicking from skeleton hand an ESGATE was suddenly appears. everyone was never expected they can go outside when their fate already sealed. but when they remembering that happened, they became hesitated. is this really alright? the skeleton really let them go? but suddenly-

"I'LL GO! i the one who doubting Takatsuki choice. so I'll be first who'll sacrificing my self to enter the gate!"

everyone here knew that this man just wanted to saving his own ass when he looking at the gate. he is people who loudest when he was blaming hassan. and they knew his expression became happy when the skeleton summon the gate.

they are annoyed whenever the looking at this man. but they don't have any choice, because none of them brave enough to sacrifice themselves.

the man without hesitation enter the gate, he was passing through like that without any obstacle. then..

"HEY! IT'S REALLY OUTSIDE! WE ARE SAFE! WAIT! DAMN. I CAN'T GOES INSIDE ANYMORE. DID EVERYONE HEAR ME?"

they heard voice of man who just entering the room. his voice sound happily when they heard it.

their expression brightened when they knew it was really an exit. they looking each other with happy expression. but suddenly..

"wait, maybe it's just illusion magic from skeleton! we don't know if it really exit gate if we can comeback and inform the other"

"you right.."

"so, what we can do now? we don't have any other option."

(FOOLISH HUMAN LIKEWISE! THE GREAT ME NEVER BREAK HIS PROMISE AND NEVER LIE! YOU CAN ASK THAT AMUSING GUY, IF I AM LYING OR NOT!)

they are stunned and scared when they heard the skeleton suddenly talking.

(DON'T MAKE THE GREAT ONE LOSING HIS PATIENCE! CHOOSE, STAY OR LEAVE!?) click

the skeleton was clicking his finger while saying that. and the empty armor that was not moving suddenly drawing their weapon again.

"I'll go! we don't have any choice! I'll put my head inside the gate, and I'll gave you signal with thumb if it really safe."

other guy walking toward the gate, then he put his head inside the gate.

"IT'S REALLY EXIT! DAMNIT I CAN'T PULL MY HEAD AGAIN. IT'S BUT I CAN PUSH MY BODY FORWARD!"

man who lost his head to other side of gate was thumbing his finger. and he'll shouting with happy face.

"then I'll go."

"me too.

"wait for me."

only two people was left in here, Hassan and his boss Toruma.

"Let's go Takatsuki, if it's not because of you we wouldn't be survive."

"Wait!"

Hassan was felt uneasy because of how easy they can escape, he suddenly remember about something.

it was the tablet. why the skeleton let them go if there was a tablet!?

"i still had my reward for answering the question correctly"

the light in skeleton eyes was brightened when he heard what Hassan suddenly said.

"if we can get out easily like that, why there are tablet here, is this thing useless?"

Toruma was stunned by that. he just remembered about the tablet. they are survive at first because they following the tablet to dogeza. why suddenly the skeleton agreeing playing with them? but suddenly..

(HAHAHAHAHAHA! TRULY AMUSING GUY!)

"answer me. keep your promise"

(OF COURSE THE GREAT ME WILL GRANT YOU THE ANSWER! THIS TABLET WAS MADE BY ME, THE GREAT ONE TO AMUSING MYSELF. LIKE TO SEE FOOLISH BEING WITH SMALL INTELLIGENT LIKE YOURSELF)

(BUT, YOU ARE REALLY AMUSING WHEN SUGGESTING A GAME. THIS GREAT ME WAS VERY AMUSE!)

"what i asked is what is function of this tablet? even you, the great one can creating useless after all?"

(WATCH YOUR MOUTH FOOLISH HUMAN! YOU THOUGHT I WON'T KILL YOU EVEN I PROMISE LET YOU GO? DON'T TRY MY PATIENCE!)

both of them became silence when they heard skeleton becoming angry.

(THE GREAT ME WILL LEAVE EVERYTHING TO YOUR PITY IMAGINATION! DON'T WASTE MY TIME ANYMORE, CHOOSE STAY OR LEAVE?)

"Boss! we must stay here!"

"wha-"

suddenly Hassan was exclaimed to stay here. Toruma was confused frowning when he heard it.

"why? we can leave now."

"i don't know, but i have bad feeling about all this please stay with me!"

Toruma looking at Hassan, then he closed his eyes..

"Iam sorry.. i have family. i don't want to die!"

"sigh.. it's ok boss! i'll stay here."

then Toruma was running toward the gate and disappearing.

.

.

the gate was closed like it never exist, Hassan who stand near the altar looking at skeleton.

"now i am alone. tell me about the tablet"

(HAHAHAHAHAHA! AMUSING GUY! TELL ME YOUR NAME THEN I'LL TELL YOU WHAT THE TABLET USE FOR.)

"I am Taka... no my name is Hassan, Takatsuki Hassan! what about the great one?"

(YOU CAN CALL ME LORD OF DEATH!)

the lord of death was pausing for a moment then continuing to speak.

(THE TABLETS IS FOR MY AMUSEMENT LIKE SAID BEFORE. AT START I WANT OPEN THE GATE TO OTHER DUNGEON AND SENT THEM TO THEIR DEATH. AND PEOPLE WHO STAY, MUST SACRIFICING ONE OF THEM, SO THE OTHER CAN LEAVE THIS PLACE)

(BUT SUDDENLY YOU MAKE A GAMBLE WITH GREAT ME. THAT'S WAS TRULY AMUSING. AND YOU ARE REALLY FOOL TO STAYED HERE!)

Hassan had a cold sweat. with that word, Hassan was realized he was at fault. he just throwing chance for himself to survive, and choosing to stay here? how stupid he is.

suddenly the lord of death was disappear and appear again in front of him.

(NOW! YOU'LL BE THE SACRIFICE!)

STAB

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

Hassan felt his chest was burning, his eyes open widely. the lord of death was moving so fast! he can't react at all. without any warning lord of death was stabbing him using a long dagger out of nowhere. it was so accurate piercing on his heart.

FLOP

"cough.. cough.."

his body was fall toward altar the altar. he can't talk anymore, he starting to coughing a blood. the altar is drenched by his blood.

(i'll die now?)

(i am scared..)

(grandma.. mother.. hinata..)

(someone help me..)

.

.

.

.

「every requirement has been fullfiled」

「system was released」

at the end of his live Hassan heard something in his head. it was toneless sound that sound like machine voice.

「low vital detected」「time remaining until brain stopped working: 12 second」

「system grant you access as player」「would you accept it?」

「accept」 or 「cancel」

「Warning! you'll be dead please accept quickly」

「8 second until brain stopped working」

「7 second until brain stopped working」

「6 second until brain stopped working」

(so noisy...)

Hassan who can't think straight anymore already gave up on everything. he thought it was just illusion before he dead. but he really heard it

"i... acc.... ce-"

「3 second until brain stopped working」

「2 second until brain stopped working」

.

.

.

.

.

Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep

"UAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Hassan was waking up from his sleep. he was screaming so loudly and jolting up his body when he awakened.

"everything was... just a dream?"